On this date thirty years ago, days after the album dropped, Prince’s Purple Rain hit movie theaters. It was my cousin who was the big Prince fan – he most likely introduced Prince’s music to me in our youth – but I quickly learned to appreciate his dance skills and musical craft. I probably didn’t see the movie until it hit HBO (or PRISM. Remember that channel?) and, as a kid, I’m sure I didn’t really appreciate or understand what I watched. And sure, there’s some cringeworthy acting and a few laughable moments. But damn, that album stuck with and defined early ’80s music for me, much in the way Thriller did before it. I can also probably credit the artist, the music and the movie (along with the DC Comics series Amethyst) for cementing my fondness for the color purple. I mean, you have noticed it on the site, right?
So go ahead. Purify yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka.
And let me guide you to the Purple Rain.
One of the best albums ever.
Oh man – I used to listen to it every night going to bed as a kid.